Horror has once again struck the North Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo with a brutal attack attributed to Ugandan ADF rebels. At least 18 people were brutally decapitated with machetes in the village of Masau, in the Baswagha-Madiwe groupement. This atrocity, which occurred on June 4, was also accompanied by the burning of eight houses, leaving behind a landscape of destruction and desolation.
Testimonies from local sources, including civil society, paint a horrifying picture of the event. Among the victims were eight women, who fell under the merciless attacks of the attackers. The attack took place between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., while FARDC soldiers had temporarily left the area to reinforce a strategic operation elsewhere. This withdrawal unfortunately offered the aggressors the opportunity to sow terror and commit this abominable carnage.
The cruelty of the rebels did not stop there, since a charred body of a woman was found in one of the houses burned during this barbaric attack. The initial toll of 18 victims could unfortunately rise, revealing the scale of the tragedy that struck Masau that day. This incredible brutality leaves a bitter taste and deep sadness in the hearts of the region’s inhabitants, confronted with the savagery of unscrupulous armed groups.
Local authorities, shocked by this senseless violence, confirmed the truth of the facts and indicated that this attack was the work of the leader of the ADF, Abwakasi, who is currently raging in the region. Terror and fear have settled into the daily lives of local populations, faced with a constant threat and uncertainty about their security and their future.
Faced with such tragic events, it is imperative that measures be taken to guarantee the protection of civilians and put an end to the abuses of armed groups who sow terror with complete impunity. The international community must react and provide increased support to the Congolese authorities to fight effectively against this persistent threat which weighs on the civilian population.
In these dark times, where innocence is reaped and life violated, it is crucial not to remain indifferent to such barbaric acts. Unity, solidarity and determination are essential to confront this unacceptable violence and work together for a safer and more peaceful future for all.